Player Updates

Rosenthal has been on the injured list since Friday due to a viral infection that resulted in him losing 10 pounds and experiencing some muscle fatigue. The veteran reliever is hoping to get his confidence up while pitching in extended spring training games, and stated that he won't return to the big club until he feels right.

Rosenthal was placed on the 10-day injured list with a viral infection Friday, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

Rosenthal has apparently been battling the issue over the last five days and actually lost 10 pounds, resulting in him experiencing some muscle fatigue, according to Jesse Dougherty of The Washington Post. The 28-year-old seems to mostly be over the infection, but still needs to rebuild his strength as his body recovers.

Manager Dave Martinez said Thursday that he believes Rosenthal will eventually resurface in a high-leverage relief role for Washington, Dan Kolko of MASN Sports reports.

Tabbed as the top setup man for closer Sean Doolittle coming out of spring training, Rosenthal plummeted down the bullpen depth chart after infamously failing to retire the first 10 batters he faced this season. While he's at least been able to work a full inning in his last two appearances, he's given up a run on both occasions and has continued to show shaky control. While Martinez noted that he felt Rosenthal's mechanics were improved in those two appearances, the right-hander will probably need to turn in a few clean frames before the Nationals rely on him again in tightly contested games.

Rosenthal walked one batter and hit another with a 96 mph fastball without recording an out in Sunday's win over the Mets.

The right-hander remains the poster boy for the Washington bullpen's horrendous start to 2019. His velocity has been fine, but Rosenthal has faced nine batters across four appearances and failed to retire any of them (four hits, four walks and a HBP), with seven of those baserunners coming around to score. After missing all of last season due to Tommy John surgery, the 28-year-old got handed a $6 million major-league deal by the Nats -- a decision that increasingly looks like a huge misstep by GM Mike Rizzo, given both the soft free-agent market this offseason and Rosenthal's performance so far.

Rosenthal walked two batters and allowed two runs while not recording an out in Wednesday's win over the Phillies.

Rosenthal's first impression with the Nationals has been disastrous as he has yet to record an out in his three appearances. The 28-year-old has given up seven runs on four hits and three walks, as every batter he's faced has come around to score. Rosenthal didn't see game action last season after undergoing Tommy John surgery in August 2017 so some rust isn't surprising, but it's hard to imagine the Nationals trusting him in any high-leverage situations until he can prove himself in a lesser role.